The drugs belonged to her mother, Ashley Tull (Picture: Delaware State Police)

A mother has been charged after her daughter took 250 packs of heroin and passed them out to her classmates.

Ashley Tull, 30, sent her daughter to Hickory Tree Child Care Centre where the four-year-old girl handed them round thinking they were sweets.

Several of them were taken to hospital over fears they had come into contact with the heroin.

Tull has now been charged with drug possession and endangering the welfare of a child, Delaware State Police said in a statement.

The department said: ‘The white powdery substance, which was still enclosed in the bags, was removed by the teachers and immediately taken to the Selbyville Police Department where it was determined to be heroin.

‘Several children who came in contact with the unopened bags were transported to area hospitals as a precautionary measure and were released after being examined.

‘A total of 249 bags of heroin weighing 3.735 grams was located in the backpack.’